Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

The next day, during the meal, Su Qianrou noticed that Mu Jinchen's dark circles were almost as bad as a panda's, so she said, "You've been sleeping little these past few days, and you didn't sleep at all last night. After you finish eating, go and rest. You need to sleep for at least three hours, otherwise you're not allowed to go to the study, understand?"

"No, I have some things to take care of."

"Nothing is more important than your health. If this continues, your body simply can't take it. Or do you want me to remain a widow?"

"It's not that serious, you don't need to worry."

"Don't take this lightly. You know you could die suddenly if you keep doing this. By then, it will be too late to regret it. You have to listen to me today. Go and rest after you finish your meal."

"I promise I'll get some rest early tonight, okay?" he said, picking up a piece of shrimp and putting it in her bowl, as if trying to please her.

"No, you need to rest now. Of course, you should also go to bed early at night so that you can have a healthy body. You didn't pay attention to these things before, but I will supervise you from now on."

Mu Jinchen had no choice but to explain, "Do you remember I told you that Prince Qing keeps a private army?"

"I remember, what's wrong? Have you found the exact location?"

"If we could find him, that would be great. To this day, we can't find the location of his private army, or even their numbers. Xinchen will be back in half a month, so Prince Qing will definitely take action soon. I'm afraid he'll do something desperate, so we need to prepare early."

"Are you worried that he might directly lead troops to rebel?"

"Yes, the total number of troops in the capital is less than five thousand. If he forces the emperor to abdicate, the capital will likely be in grave danger."

"If the number is large, it is impossible for them not to be discovered."

"He used to keep the horses scattered in the horse farm, but then he moved them and now they are nowhere to be found. However, I predict that there are no more than 10,000 people."

“If it’s no more than 10,000 people, I don’t think he can force the emperor to abdicate directly. The capital city is under your command and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. In addition, you are known for winning with fewer troops. Therefore, it is difficult for him to win. So, in my opinion, he is very likely to attack you first. Perhaps the assassination attempt a month ago was his doing. Now that you are safe and sound, he will definitely find another way.”

"So what method do you think he will use?"

“Assassination is probably impossible,” Su Qianrou thought for a moment, then added, “Three days from now is the Empress Dowager’s birthday.”

"You mean he'll make a move at the birthday banquet?"

"Very likely."

Mu Jinchen pondered for a moment, then stood up and said, "You eat first, I'm going to the palace."

Su Qianrou didn't stop her, she just said, "Don't stay up too late."

"Okay," Mu Jinchen replied, and then walked out.

Su Qianrou watched his hurried figure and felt a pang of heartache, but what could she do? He was the regent, and the weight of the entire nation and tens of millions of people rested on his shoulders. He could only overcome all difficulties and move forward step by step, not daring to slacken in the slightest. All she could do was silently support him from behind, so that he could have no worries.

As evening approached and Mu Jinchen still hadn't returned, Su Qianrou couldn't help but ask, "Has the Prince not returned yet?"

"Not yet, should I send someone to check?"

"Never mind, I'll come back when I'm done with my work. Let's wait a bit longer."

As a result, an hour passed before Mu Jinchen returned at midnight, and Su Qianrou was already asleep in the rocking chair.

Mu Jinchen carried her to the bed, covered her with the blanket, and then tiptoed out.

A moment later, after taking a bath, he lay down.

Su Qianrou instinctively snuggled into his arms.

Mu Jinchen took the opportunity to reach out and put his arm around her.

Su Qianrou woke up groggily and murmured, "You're back. Didn't I tell you to come back earlier? Why are you still so late?"

"I've been busy and for a moment forgot the time. If you're sleepy next time, just go to sleep first, you don't need to wait for me."

"You don't keep your word."

"It was my fault, I won't do it again next time."

Su Qianrou did not speak again.

Mu Jinchen looked down and found that she had fallen asleep again, so he closed his eyes and went to sleep as well.

Soon, the Empress Dowager's birthday arrived.

At this moment, the Xihua Palace was filled with singing and dancing, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

As usual, Mu Jinchen would occasionally put food on Su Qianrou's plate, and Su Qianrou would casually pick it up and eat it; the two of them were already used to it.

Everyone else was astonished. They knew the Regent King doted on the Regent Queen, but they didn't know it was to this extent.

The Empress Dowager, unable to bear it any longer, said, "Alright, all of you may leave."

The dancers then withdrew, the singing abruptly stopped, and the hall fell silent instantly.

Then, the Empress Dowager looked at Su Qianrou and asked, "Regent Princess, today is my birthday. I wonder what you have given me?"

Su Qianrou stood up and replied, "Your Majesty, the gift I gave you is not expensive, but it is the thought that counts. I hope Your Majesty will not find it offensive."

Then, palace servants brought up a painting depicting the longevity of one hundred people.

"This is a longevity painting handwritten by my daughter-in-law. I wish my mother-in-law boundless happiness, longevity, good health, endless joy, and a long and healthy life."

"Instead of sending these empty gifts, Regent's Consort, why not give something practical? You've been married for several months now, and there's still no sign of pregnancy. Look at Chang Le, her younger sister, she already has a four-year-old child and is pregnant again. Even the youngest Prince Qi has a six-month-old daughter. But Chen'er is twenty-four and still has no son. As Regent's Consort, shouldn't you be worried about him?"

"It's the daughter-in-law's fault."

"What wrong have you done? If Mother insists on blaming someone, then blame me. It is I who do not want to have children so early. It has nothing to do with the Princess."

"You don't want children, why?" the Empress Dowager asked, puzzled.

"It's not that I don't want it, it's just that I want it later."

"You're already twenty-four, how long do you want to wait?"

"Five years later".

Su Qianrou looked at him, deeply moved.

Mu Zexuan was also touched, and therefore, his gaze toward Mu Jinchen was somewhat complicated.

"Give me a reason."

"There's no reason, I just don't want to have children so early."

"I think you're deliberately trying to anger me to death."

Chang Le hurriedly stood up and said, "Mother, don't be angry. Your brother must have his own reasons. It's only five years later, it's not a big deal. Don't worry about it. Today is your birthday, you should be happy."

“Aunt Chang Le is right. Grandmother has not yet seen the birthday gift I sent you,” she said, taking out a birthday poem she had written herself. Then she added, “I thought and thought but I didn’t know what birthday gift to send to Grandmother, so I wrote a birthday poem myself. I don’t know if Grandmother will like it.”

The Empress Dowager knew that the current situation was not suitable for discussing this matter, so she quickly adjusted her mindset and said, "I like anything that His Majesty sends me."

Then, Chang Le invited Xiao Yaxuan up as well, and soon the Empress Dowager was amused and burst into laughter.

Su Qianrou looked at Chang Le and gave her a grateful look.

Chang Le raised an eyebrow at her, as if to say, "It's nothing, don't worry about it."

Soon, the hall was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter, as if the earlier argument had never happened, and an atmosphere of peace and harmony prevailed.